FOURTH ANNUAL JAKES DAY JUNE 3

May 19, 2000

For more information contact:
Cathy Blumig at 732-873-3206

The New Jersey Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its fourth annual JAKES event on Saturday, June 3rd at 9 a.m. The free event will be held at the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Assunpink Wildlife Management Area Conservation Center in Robbinsville, Monmouth County and is open to youngsters aged 17 and under.

JAKES, a youth program of the National Wild Turkey Federation, is an acronym for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship. The JAKES program stresses the importance of ethics and responsibility, wildlife conservation and the value of the hunting tradition.

This year, the Black Knight Bowbenders will operate an archery range along side the popular airgun range, the New Jersey Outdoor Women's League (NJ OWL) will teach participants how to make a fishing lure and youngsters will learn back-to-nature skills with primitive skills practitioner John Waltz. During lunch, wildlife rehabilitator Diane Nickerson will give a presentation about some of the owls that live in New Jersey, which will include a chance to see live birds up close. Wild turkey mounts will also be on display and the day will conclude with a traditional rocket net demonstration to show how wild turkeys are captured and tagged for research.

Each registered participant will receive lunch sponsored by the Middlesex County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs including samples of deep fried wild turkey, a mini-sports bottle, the fishing lure constructed in class and more. Door prizes will also be offered.

Limited to 50 participants, the deadline to register is May 31. Rain date is June 4. To register or for more information, contact NJ JAKES Coordinator Cathy Blumig via e-mail at wolgast@aesop.rutgers.edu or by phone at (732) 873-3206. Children under 10 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. All youngsters must have a parent or legal guardian sign a liability and photo release form prior to participating